1. Introduction to Latin Why Teach Latin? Project Impact Goal
By Ema Bushnell, Mentored by Catherine Connors
The textbook we use in our lessons
Why Teach Latin?
To most people, mention of Latin conjures up images of gladiators, togas, and Harry Potter spells. While these are all very important, Latin is so much more than costumes and funny words. Exposure to Latin at a young age (or any age!) can expand vocabularies, solidify grammar concepts and generate interest and excitement in the past. Learning History can be an "othering” experience, and exposure to Latin helps realize the connections we have to the cultures and people of the past. Latin bridges the gap between life 2000 years ago and life yesterday.
Project
“Introduction to Latin” is an after-school program designed to increase exposure of the Ancient World to younger students. Once a week, I and my teaching partners, Beni Ransom and Emma Schulte, went to Hamilton Middle School and led a two-hour course introducing Rome and its language. Our material focused more on games and interactive activities than rogue memorization or worksheets, in order to facilitate a low pressure, dynamic learning environment focused on creating familiarity with the concepts
Impact
One of the largest goals of this project was to foster enthusiasm and interest in Classics among students heading to High School, in particular Roosevelt High School, one of Hamilton’s feeder schools. This goal was accomplished. This year, 50 incoming students signed up to take Latin 1 at Roosevelt High, ensuring the continuation of their program. Knowing that our course contributed to this influx of students truly validates the entire experience.
Although this course ends in June, we
have no plans to stop working to bring Latin to schools. In April, Professor Connors, Beni Ransom and I attended the Washington/BC Chapter Junior Classical League conference in Stanwood, Washington to promote our program and network with Latin teachers throughout the state. We were able to dissimilate original material created during the last three months and connected with parents, teachers, and students interested in forming Latin Clubs of their own.
Goal
Through the initiation of this program, I hoped to encourage the democratization of access to the study of Latin and other Classical subjects. Very few schools in Washington offer the opportunity to study Latin and I feel passionately that this needs to change; currently, the students who would most benefit from Latin courses are the ones that do not have access to them. Latin should be available to more than just the kids of the upper middle class and my goal is to bring Classics to a wider variety of students. During the course of this program, I have compiled a sort of “Latin Club in a Box,” an enriching and engaging set of materials, including crosswords, bingo, battleship games, and other curriculum that can now be disseminated among others eager to bring Latin into their communities.
Battleship (Naumachia)- Working with Adjective agreement
I have (Habeo): A Matching Game by Professor Connors
A student writing about himself
(I am… I like…)
Reflections
Working with my students and partners to develop and direct this small program has been an experience I would repeat in a heartbeat. Not only have I learned how to be a leader in a classroom setting, I have developed a skill set that will enable me to be a better teacher, ands student, in the future.
One of the most valuable opportunities working on my program presented to me, however, was the chance to connect with so many Latin-enthused people in my community. It is inspiring to see people out in the world who are learning, teaching, and sharing Latin with those around them. Never before Latin have I seen so much life in something dead.
A sugar cube aqueduct at the JCL
Professor Connors giving a lecture at the JCL about the Geography of Death in the Ancient World
Latin Crossword
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to:
Catherine Connors, Associate Professor of Classics
Beni Ransom and Emma Schulte
The University of Washington
Cambridge University Press
Hamilton Middle School, Elizabeth Chase, and the HOST Program
The Mary Gates Leadership Foundation